HSCA Applauds House Energy And Commerce Commitee And Senate HELP Commitee For Advancing Bipartisan Biosimilars Legislation That Will Help Increase Access To Safe Medications

The Expedited Access to Biosimilars Act and the Biosimilar Red Tape Elimina on Act passed unanimously in a House Energy and Commerce Committee markup, building on the Senate HELP Committee's recent passage of companion legislation.

The Healthcare Supply Chain Association (HSCA) and its traditional healthcare group purchasing organization (GPO) members commend the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce for unanimously advancing two bipartisan bills that would expand patient access to lower-cost biosimilars: the Expedited Access to Biosimilars Act (H.R. 9661), led by Reps. Nick Langworthy (R-NY) and Kim Schrier (D-WA), and the Biosimilar Red Tape Elimination Act (H.R. 5526), led by Reps. August Pfluger (R-TX) and Greg Landsman (D-OH). This comes aŌer the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee’s recent advancement of two companion bills, the Expedited Access to Biosimilars Act (S.1414), led by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), and the Biosimilars Red Tape Elimination Act (S.1954), led by Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM).

“Biosimilars are one of the most effective tools for expanding generic competition in the prescription drug marketplace. Biosimilars have the potential to increase patient access to life-saving medications and reduce costs for the entire healthcare system,” said HSCA President and CEO Angie Boliver. “HSCA has long advocated for policies that ensure a pathway to market for biosimilars that prioritize patient safety while encouraging development and uptake. Eliminating outdated, duplicative testing requirements will help patients get faster access to safe, affordable treatments.”

The two bipartisan biosimilars bills that the Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously passed would remove barriers that slow biosimilar approval and adoption. The Expedited Access to Biosimilars Act would allow the FDA to approve a biosimilar without redundant studies when existing scientific evidence already demonstrates the product is safe and effective. The Biosimilar Red Tape Elimination Act would eliminate arbitrary regulatory distinctions between “biosimilar” and “interchangeable” designations, establishing a presumption that an approved biosimilar is interchangeable with its reference product without additional switching studies.

“Patients should not have to wait for safe, effective treatments because of unnecessary regulatory red tape. HSCA commends Senate and House policymakers for their leadership in geƫng these bipartisan reforms successfully through both Committees. We look forward to final passage later this year.”

About The Healthcare Supply Chain Association (HSCA)
The Healthcare Supply Chain Association (HSCA) represents the nation’s leading healthcare group purchasing organizations (GPOs), which are critical cost-savings partners to America’s hospitals, nursing homes, nursing home pharmacies, clinics, home healthcare providers, and surgery centers. GPOs deliver billions in savings annually to healthcare providers, Medicare and Medicaid, and taxpayers. HSCA and its member GPOs are committed to delivering the best products at the best value to healthcare providers, increasing competition and innovation in the market, and serving as leaders in transparency and accountability. For more information, visit supplychainassociation.org.